Kyuryudo Begins General Distribution of Official Catalog and Book for "Kineta Kunimatsu: Chains of Breath" Exhibition, Which Closed on May 10th to Great Acclaim, Recording Over 26,000 Visitors at Towada Art Center, His First Museum Solo Exhibition!
The official catalog and book for the "Kineta Kunimatsu: Chains of Breath" exhibition, which attracted over 26,000 visitors at the Towada Art Center, is now available for general distribution from Kyuryudo. The book introduces Kineta Kunimatsu's artistic journey, creative background, and the lineage of his artistic family.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 01:05
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This book, while including a catalog section, is structured into five chapters, unfolding Kineta Kunimatsu's artistic trajectory, his connection with nature in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, where he creates, his activities with fellow members of the Tobiu Art Community, the lineage of three generations of the Kunimatsu artistic family, and Kunimatsu's journey tracing his roots in Northern Tohoku. These are presented alongside works in various techniques and expressions, such as two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces, beautiful photographic collections of Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku's natural landscapes, and rich essays by an esteemed lineup of writers.
“I am encouraged by the sight of rocks standing firm regardless of the weather or season. Although it is not a mirror, I feel as if I am confronting myself.” (Words of Kineta Kunimatsu, published in this book)
- Chapter 1: The Trajectory of Kineta Kunimatsu
This chapter explores Kineta Kunimatsu's trajectory through the works created in his studio in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. His two-dimensional works, starting with "TIMESCAPE," which takes as its subject the rocks standing on the Ayoro coast that he has visited countless times, reveal mysterious expressions and colors like mist by scraping off paint piled on boards. Next, three-dimensional works like "GLACIER MOUNTAIN" appear, with intricately scraped and white-painted wood surfaces resembling icebergs. Meanwhile, other works follow with different expressions, some clad in the black of ink by burning, others left with the natural wood grain. The chapter also introduces the "WORMHOLE" series, which signifies both insect holes and the concept of connecting two spacetimes, developing into large sculptures, and the beautiful work "COSMOS," created by melting snow and paint on a circular board, showcasing the diversity of Kunimatsu's creative world.
Chapter 1 also introduces the fieldwork of Ayoro Laboratory, one of Kunimatsu's important activities alongside his creation. This involves walking through the Ayoro region with his friend Shinichi Tateishi, and their writings from "Ayoro Tsushin vol.1," which they created as a record, are re-recorded.
- Chapter 2: Tobiu Art Community
The Tobiu Art Community, located in Tobiu, Shiraoi Town, Kunimatsu's creative base, began by renting the school building and teachers' residences of the abandoned Tobiu Elementary School. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in April 2026. Kunimatsu joined this community in 2002, which started as a joint studio for his father, Asuka, and several others, transitioning its activities to the second generation. It has developed to the point of regularly holding the Tobiu Art Festival and continuing a forest-making project, the details of which are introduced through photographs and texts.
- Chapter 3: The Lineage of Three Generations of Kunimatsu
Kineta Kunimatsu is known as an artist from Hokkaido spanning three generations, with his grandfather Noboru being a Western-style painter and his father Asuka a sculptor using metal. While adopting different methods of expression, they have all pursued expressions that are close to the nature and climate of the North. Chapter 3 introduces the works of his grandfather Noboru and father Asuka, and also chronicles the footsteps of Midori Kunimatsu, a kokeshi craftsman from Akita. Furthermore, Motoharu Yoshizaki (Director of the Hongo Shin Memorial Sapporo Sculpture Museum) introduces the three generations' trajectories in continuing to create in Hokkaido through his essay.
- Chapter 4: Kineta Kunimatsu: Chains of Breath
Kineta Kunimatsu's first museum solo exhibition, "Kineta Kunimatsu: Chains of Breath," was held at the Towada Art Center from December 5, 2025 (Saturday) to May 10, 2026 (Sunday). The exhibition space begins with a forest-like space where giant tree sculptures stand, titled "WORMHOLE - Forest Connecting Time and Space -," leading to new works born from Kunimatsu's impressions of tracing Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge for his on-site production in Towada, titled "7 sculpture sketchers." Eventually, viewers arrive at "WORMHOLE - Accumulating Time -" as if reaching Lake Towada. Between the two spaces, a deep gray-blue exhibition space was set up, consisting of three works by his grandfather Noboru, father Asuka, and Kineta. The cafe space displayed a visual timeline and materials of the Tobiu Community. This chapter features an essay by Sachiko Shikata, Director of the Towada Art Center and curator in charge of this exhibition, detailing the various dramas from exhibition planning to preparation and opening, and the connections between Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku.
https://towadaartcenter.com/exhibitions/kunimatsu_kineta/
- Chapter 5: Breath Towards the Future
Taking the exhibition as an opportunity, Kunimatsu, who created works using Aomori wood for the first time, experienced the nature, history, and lives of the people of Towada. This flow also led to a journey to Akita, his great-grandfather Midori's hometown. In this chapter, Kineta Kunimatsu himself, folklorist Norio Akasaka, and poet Yuko Fuzuki, through their respective perspectives, depict the relationship between the culture and people's time in Tohoku and Hokkaido. Feeling the breath towards the future that extends beyond, the five-chapter story of this book concludes with a beautiful photograph of a snowy landscape.
Kineta Kunimatsu Profile
Photography: Yasuhito Sasajima
1977
“I am encouraged by the sight of rocks standing firm regardless of the weather or season. Although it is not a mirror, I feel as if I am confronting myself.” (Words of Kineta Kunimatsu, published in this book)
- Chapter 1: The Trajectory of Kineta Kunimatsu
This chapter explores Kineta Kunimatsu's trajectory through the works created in his studio in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. His two-dimensional works, starting with "TIMESCAPE," which takes as its subject the rocks standing on the Ayoro coast that he has visited countless times, reveal mysterious expressions and colors like mist by scraping off paint piled on boards. Next, three-dimensional works like "GLACIER MOUNTAIN" appear, with intricately scraped and white-painted wood surfaces resembling icebergs. Meanwhile, other works follow with different expressions, some clad in the black of ink by burning, others left with the natural wood grain. The chapter also introduces the "WORMHOLE" series, which signifies both insect holes and the concept of connecting two spacetimes, developing into large sculptures, and the beautiful work "COSMOS," created by melting snow and paint on a circular board, showcasing the diversity of Kunimatsu's creative world.
Chapter 1 also introduces the fieldwork of Ayoro Laboratory, one of Kunimatsu's important activities alongside his creation. This involves walking through the Ayoro region with his friend Shinichi Tateishi, and their writings from "Ayoro Tsushin vol.1," which they created as a record, are re-recorded.
- Chapter 2: Tobiu Art Community
The Tobiu Art Community, located in Tobiu, Shiraoi Town, Kunimatsu's creative base, began by renting the school building and teachers' residences of the abandoned Tobiu Elementary School. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in April 2026. Kunimatsu joined this community in 2002, which started as a joint studio for his father, Asuka, and several others, transitioning its activities to the second generation. It has developed to the point of regularly holding the Tobiu Art Festival and continuing a forest-making project, the details of which are introduced through photographs and texts.
- Chapter 3: The Lineage of Three Generations of Kunimatsu
Kineta Kunimatsu is known as an artist from Hokkaido spanning three generations, with his grandfather Noboru being a Western-style painter and his father Asuka a sculptor using metal. While adopting different methods of expression, they have all pursued expressions that are close to the nature and climate of the North. Chapter 3 introduces the works of his grandfather Noboru and father Asuka, and also chronicles the footsteps of Midori Kunimatsu, a kokeshi craftsman from Akita. Furthermore, Motoharu Yoshizaki (Director of the Hongo Shin Memorial Sapporo Sculpture Museum) introduces the three generations' trajectories in continuing to create in Hokkaido through his essay.
- Chapter 4: Kineta Kunimatsu: Chains of Breath
Kineta Kunimatsu's first museum solo exhibition, "Kineta Kunimatsu: Chains of Breath," was held at the Towada Art Center from December 5, 2025 (Saturday) to May 10, 2026 (Sunday). The exhibition space begins with a forest-like space where giant tree sculptures stand, titled "WORMHOLE - Forest Connecting Time and Space -," leading to new works born from Kunimatsu's impressions of tracing Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge for his on-site production in Towada, titled "7 sculpture sketchers." Eventually, viewers arrive at "WORMHOLE - Accumulating Time -" as if reaching Lake Towada. Between the two spaces, a deep gray-blue exhibition space was set up, consisting of three works by his grandfather Noboru, father Asuka, and Kineta. The cafe space displayed a visual timeline and materials of the Tobiu Community. This chapter features an essay by Sachiko Shikata, Director of the Towada Art Center and curator in charge of this exhibition, detailing the various dramas from exhibition planning to preparation and opening, and the connections between Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku.
https://towadaartcenter.com/exhibitions/kunimatsu_kineta/
- Chapter 5: Breath Towards the Future
Taking the exhibition as an opportunity, Kunimatsu, who created works using Aomori wood for the first time, experienced the nature, history, and lives of the people of Towada. This flow also led to a journey to Akita, his great-grandfather Midori's hometown. In this chapter, Kineta Kunimatsu himself, folklorist Norio Akasaka, and poet Yuko Fuzuki, through their respective perspectives, depict the relationship between the culture and people's time in Tohoku and Hokkaido. Feeling the breath towards the future that extends beyond, the five-chapter story of this book concludes with a beautiful photograph of a snowy landscape.
Kineta Kunimatsu Profile
Photography: Yasuhito Sasajima
1977